Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Six Principles of Nonviolence

The following pages will introduce the six principles of nonviolence that were practiced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After each principle, I have included a real life example of how it was applied to his life. This is intended to help the reader better understand its meaning. Since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. studied under Mohandas Gandhi I have also provided a real life example of how principle six applied to Gandhi’s life as well.

The civil rights “Movement reached its climax on August 26, 1963, in the March on Washington, a massive demonstration in Washington, D.C., to protest racial discrimination and to demonstrate support for civil rights laws then being considered in Congress. The highlight of the March, which attracted 200,000 Black and White participants, was Kings historic “I have a Dream” speech, which rallied civil rights advocates throughout the country.”

The third principle encourages you not fight with people around you, but rather face conflict with peaceful discussion.

Author: Encyclopedia Brittanica School Title:Civil rights Movement Copyright: 2021 Publish company:Encyclopedia Brittanica Inc.

Non violence will deny violence and instead will result in sharing peace with others. Their love will not be taken over by hatred. Their love will revive the community and will defy discriminations. They will also recognize the idea that all life walking or breathing in this world are interconnected.

The “Nonviolence Principles” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we’re created to show how solutions can be attained without resorting to violence. 

Principle one states nonviolent strategies be used to defy evil ways. The second principle explains how much more superior the outcome is when you chose nonviolence. The third principle encourages you not fight with people around you, but rather face conflict with peaceful discussion. Principle 4 states how people who choose nonviolence will not rebel against their punishments but instead except their fate. Principle five supports selecting love over evil. Principle six holds the faith that one day nonviolence will overcome discrimination. Credits:https://kingstitute.Stanford.edu/sites/mlk/files/lesson-activities/six_principles_of_nonviolence.pdfd

The second principle explains how much more superior the outcome is when you choose non violence.

When the objective is achieved without violence it saves lives.

“At the time it was against the law for Mrs. Parks to refuse to give up her seat to a white person when the bus was crowded. So she was taken back to the police station. Black leaders in Montgomery called a meeting that evening at Dr. Kings church. It was decided that a bus strike might help to change the unfair laws. Dr King was asked to be the leader. He said he would, but only if the people taking part in the bus strike were peaceful.” 

Credits: Martin Luther King Jr. Revised edition Man of peace Author:Patricia and Fredrick McKissack Publisher:Enslow Publishers, Inc. Copyright: 1991 Pages:15, 16

“They were jailed and beaten and murdered. But they kept on marching. Some black Americans wanted to fight with their fists. Martin convinced them not to, by reminding them about the power of love. “Love is the key to the problems of the world”.”

Principle 4 states how people who choose non violence will not rebel against their punishments but instead except their fate.

Credits: Martins Big Words Author:Doreen Rappaport Illustrator:Bryan Collier Publisher:Disney Jump at The Sun Copyright: 2001 Pages:16

Principle six holds the faith that one day nonviolence will overcome discrimination.

Author: Alice B. McGinty Illustrator: Thomas Gonzalez Title:Gandhi A March to the Sea Copyright:2013 Publish company: Amazon Publishing

”Just before sunrise, a small brown skinned man takes a step toward the salty sea many miles away. With over seventy marchers, Mohandas Gandhi begins his journey. Thousands of Indians hungry and poor, crowd the marchers, crying farewells, praying their countrymen will win the fight for freedom, and a better life as they March to break the law. Gandhi takes the lead with his walking stick his steps fast and firm. The marchers rush to keep pace and praise their Go’s in song:Ragu-pati Raag-av Raaja-Raam Every man is ready to take this risky road. Each stride they take each law they break peaceful steps toward freedom. Harsh sun salty sweat drips down dusty backs turbaned dancers lead the marchers to a shady place to rest.”

 “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. cared about all Americans. He cared about people all over the world. And people all over the world admired him. In 1964, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He won it because he taught others to fight with words, not fists.”

Principle five supports selecting love over evil.

Credits: Martins Big Words Author:Doreen Rappaport Illustrator:Bryan Collier Publisher:Disney Jump at The Sun Copyright: 2001 Pages:21, 22

Principle one states nonviolent strategies be used to defy evil ways.

“One night, while Dr. King was at a meeting, someone threw a bomb into his house. Martin’s followers were angry. They wanted to fight. Martin told them to go home peacefully. “We must love our white brothers,” he said. “We must meet hate with love.”

Credits: A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. Author: David A. Adler Illustrator: Robert Casilla Publisher: Holiday House Inc. Copyright: 1989 Pages:12, 13

Photo credit: Stanford Online - Stanford University 

Author: Doreen Rapport Illustrator: Bryan Coller Title:Martins Big Words Copyright: 2001 Publish company: Disney Jump At The Sun

“The marches continued. More and more Americans listened to Martins words. He shared his dreams and filled them up with hope. “I have a dream that one day in Alabama little black boys and black girls will join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.” After ten years of protests, The lawmakers in Washington voted to end segregation The ONLY WHITE signs in the south came down.”

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